Mining-dredge.



No. 629,048. Patented July :8; R299. L. n. SIBLEY.

MINING DBEDGE.

(Application filed May 5, 1898) 2 Sheets-Shei I.

(No Model.)

Wilgesses m: NORRIS PETERS co. PnoToLn'ua. WASHINGTON. n10.

Patented July l8, I899.

2'Sheet s-Sheet 2.

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L. n. SIBLEY. MINING DREDGE.

(Application filad. May 6, 1898.)

M NM 18 jlllorncys.

(No Model.)

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LORENZO D. SIBLEY, OF VINELAND, NEXV JERSEY.

MINING -DREDGE.

{SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,048, dated July18, 1899.

Application filed May 5, 1898. Serial No. 679,841. (No model.)

of New Jersey, have invented a new and use-' ful Mining-Dredge, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in dredges for mining preciousmetals, adapted to be used for collection mechanically of the metal atthe bed of a river or stream or in a mine on the land or through waterin the earth for the purpose of separating the minerals from sand,gravel, or mud,'leaving most of the latter in its natural bed andextracting the heavier and more valuable minerals, such as gold.

My apparatus may be used on a dredge, scow, float, or a raft when usedfor marine mining, or it may be supported on a suitable platform forland mining.

The apparatus contemplates the employment of a working fluid undersuitable pressure, which working fluid is carried to the excavation forthe purposeof forcing the heavy particles of metalin collecting devicesthat retain the metal and are adapted to be drawn to the surface atsuitable intervals while one of the devices for directing the pressureworking fluid may be allowed to remain in the eX- cavation to continuethe supply of the fluid to keep the excavation from fillingv byoverflowing of the mud, sand, and gravel. This Working fluid is directedby the appliances, so that it may be utilized as the means for clearingthe path for the shovel or pan through the soil as well as for forcingthe precious metal into the pan-receptacle, and under the last-namedservice of the pressure fluid certain devices are provided by which thefluid is deflected, so as to keep the cavity or excavation open againstfilling by the backflow of the soil.

The invention further consists in the novel combination of elements andin the construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafterfully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, I have illustrated thepreferred em bodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which- Figure is l a side elevationshowing the shovel-pan in its lowered working position. Fig. 2 is anelevation at right angles to Fig. 1, lookin g at the front side or faceof the shovel pan. Fig. 3 isaside elevation of the apparatus with theshovel-pan in its raised position. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of thedredger with the parts in position shown by Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is anenlarged detail view of the guide-frame. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailView of the coupling by which the two lengths of the main pressure-pipeare joined together. Fig. 7 is an elevation and modified construction ofthe dredger.

Like numerals of reference denote like and corresponding parts in eachof the several figures of the drawings.

1 designates the main pressure-pipe, which 'is adapted to be loweredthrough the water of a river or stream or through the shaft of a minefor the purpose of forcing a fluid under pressure into the ground at apoint in advance of a shovel or pan, and thus effect the washing thedirt, gravel, or sand away from the particles of metal and of forcingthe latter into the shovel or pan by which they are collected. This mainpressure pipe is of proper diameter to carry the required volume ofcompressed working fluid, which may be either water, steam, or air, andsaid pressurepipe is of proper length to reach the bed of the stream orthe bottom of a mine-shaft. The lower extremity of the mainpressure-pipe has a movable section 2, which is united to the pipe 1 bya hinged coupling 3, the respective members of which are attached to thepipe anditssection 2, while the members of said coupling are hingedtogether at one side of the pipe-line and are detachably latchedtogether by the use of a latch 4, which is hinged or pivoted to onemember of the coup ling and arranged to have its free end engage with apin 5, having the spring 6.

On the lower hinged section 2 of the main pressure-pipe is clamped aframe 7, which serves to support the shovel or pan in a mannor to permitthe latter to have a swinging movement independently of any adj ustinentof the main pressure-pipe. This frame is preferably of the formillustrated by the drawings, although the particular shape thereof isnot essential. Said frame is provided with vertically-alined loops 8,having the clamping-screws 9, by which the frame may be clamped to thelower section of the main pressure-pipe, and at one side of the frame itis provided with an arm 10, which serves to support the shovel or pan14.

A guide-sleeve 11 is a part of the shovelcarrying frame, but it is madeseparate from the frame and removably bolted thereto. Between theguide-sleeve and the frame 7 is arranged a guide-loop 12, and thisguide-loop 12 is provided on opposite sides with lugs or plates 12 and12 The lug or plate 12 laps against the frame 7 and is bolted rigidlythereto, as at'13, while the lug or plate 12 of said guide-loop overlapsa plate 11 of the guide-sleeve 11, and the parts 11 12 are rigidlyunited by the bolts 13. It will thus be seen that the guide-sleeve 11and the guide-loop 1-2 are united rigidly together and to the frame7,.and said parts are thus adapted to be readily assembled or detachedas may be desired.

The shovel or pan 14 is preferablyametallic structure consisting of abottom and flanges, which extend outwardly from the bottom. Near one endof the pan is provided the clips 15, which extend outwardly there fromand are pivotally connected, as at 16',

'to the arms 10 of the carrying-frame 7, the

pan or shovel being thus pivotally supported on the frame to turn on ahorizontal axis, and consequently swing or move in a vertical plane. Theshovel or pan is hinged or pivoted to the frame at a point at one sideof the vertical axis thereof and the pivotal connection between theframe and the pan is on a horizontal plane coincident, practically, withI the lower extremity of the section 2 of the main pressure-pipe,whereby the shovel or pan may be raised to a horizontal position and liedirectly opposite to the pressure-pipe, so as -to present areflector-pan, which is mounted on said shovel or pan immediatelyopposite to the discharge-mouth of the pressure-pipe. The end of the panopposite to the hinged part thereof or at its free end is peculiarlyformed for the collection and retention of the precious metals when thepan or shovel is lowered to its vertical working position. Said end wallof the pan is fashioned to provide an inclined face 18, which is inadvance of an abrupt depression or angular portion 19, that forms apocket between the inclined face 18 and the heel 21 of the pan. The edgeof the inclined portion 18 at the free end of the pan is beveled orsharpened to a cutting edge or lip 17', and this construction of the panor shovel is important because when the pan is in its working positionthe precious metal which is stirred or agitated by the compressedworking fluid is swept across the inclined face of the pan into thepocket 20, to be retained therein by the abrupt or an gular face 19,while'on the elevation of the pan or shovel the cuttinglip or edge 17forces its way through the sand, mud, or gravel,

thus facilitating the elevation of the pan or shovel.

22 designates a reflector-pan which is carried by the shovel at a pointabove or to one side of the end of the shovel, which collects andretains the precious metal, and said reflectorpan is arranged on theshovel to lie opposite to and in vertical alinement with thepressure-pipe 1 when the shovel is raised,.

as fastened to the clips 23, which are attached to the shovel 14:.

25 designates an auxiliary pressure-pipe, which is preferably of smallerdiameter than the main pressure-pipe and is maintained in operativerelation thereto by means of the guide-sleeve 11 on the shovel-carryingframe 7. Thisauxiliary pressure-pipe is in ad- Vance of the mainpressure-pipe, parallel thereto, and it passes loosely through theguide-sleeve 11, so that it may be turned by hand or suitable mechanicalappliances axially within the guide-sleeve for the purpose of changingthe position of the dischargemouth'of said auxiliary pipe. The lower extremity of the auxiliary pressure-pipe is deflected or curved to oneside of the vertical axis of said pipe, thus forming a deflecteddischarge-mouth 26, and as the pipe 25 is adapted to rotate or turnaxially within the guidesleeve 11, through which it passes loosely, thedischarge-mouth 26 may be turned to incline toward the shovel or pan orbe reversed to discharge the pressure fluid in advance of the shovel anddredger, so as to clear a path for the latter and obviate undue strainon the shovel and other working parts of the d redger.

The pivoted shovel or pan is adapted to be raised and lowered on itshinged connection with the frame 7 by suitable mechanical applianceswhich extend vertically through the Water of the stream or themine-shaft, so as to be accessible to the miner or operator, and in oneembodiment of this part of the invention I provide a bail 27, which isattached rigidly to the sides of the pan near the free end thereof. Theouter end of this bail is formed with an eye 28, towhich is connectedthe lower extremity of a cable or chain 29, that passes loosely throughthe guide-loop 12 on the shovel carrying frame 7. This chain or cable 29is provided at a suitable distance from its attachment to the bail-eyewith an enlargement 30, that constitutes a stop for limiting the descentof the chain orcable and the shovel when it is lowered to its workingposition. This stop 30 may be of any suitable character, and it isadapted to rest upon the guide-loop 12 when the shovel reaches itslowered vertical position, said stop and the chain preventing the shovelfrom moving backwardly beyond its proper position when the parts are inservice. The bail 27 is of such a length and the guide-loop 12 isarranged at such a height above the lower extremity of the mainpressure-pipe that the outer end of the bail 27 will abut against thelower side of the guideloop 12 when the shovel is raised to itshorizontal position, and said bail 27 is thus adapted to limit theupward movement of the shovel and cause the latter to present theconical reflector-pan 22 in proper position opposite to thedischargemouth of the main pressure-pipe.

A loose collar 31 is fitted on the auxiliary pressure-pipe 25 at a pointbelow the guidesleeve 11, and said loose collar is formed with an eye32, to which is attached a chain or cable 32, that serves to suspend theauxiliary pressure-pipe. The loose collar 31 abuts or bears against afast collar 33,which is clamped or fixed to the pressure-pipe 25, andthis fast collar is interposed between the-loose collar 31 and the fixedguide-sleeve 11, whereby the fast collar is adapted to rotate with thepressure-pipe 25, and the said pipe may be turned axially withouttwisting the cable or chain which is attached to the loose collar andserves to suspend the auxiliary pressure-pipe in proper relation to themain pressure-pipe and the mineral-collecting devices.

The lower hinged section 2 of the main pressure-pipe carries a cup 85,which is situated above the deflecting-stand 22, and this cup 35 isadapted to deflect the current or fluid outwardly, so as to cause thefluid to work the sides of the cavity or excavation, and said cup alsoserves to catch and retain any fine particles of metal which may becarried up with the agitated body of water and fall within the cup. Thiscup is preferably of the curved or conical form shown by the drawings,and it is fitted on the hinged section 2 of the pipe 1 at a pointbetween the hinged coupling 3 and the shovel-carrying frame. The lowerpart of the conical or curved cup may be united in a suitable way to thepipe-section 2, while the upper part of the cup is open for the freeingress thereto of any metallic particles of gold, whereby the cupserves a twofold purpose of reflecting the current of the working fluidor the agitated body of water and for collecting small particles ofmetal which may be held in suspension in the agitated current of waterand drop within the limits of said cup.

WVhen the dredge is used for working in an excavation with a rocky orhard resisting bottom, Iprovide a mineral-collecting bag or sack 36,which is attached to a shovel-fran1e so as to be supported and carriedthereby. This bag or sack may be of any suitable material adapted toretain the particles of metal pan or shovel by a suitable device, as at39,

and the end of the cord is in like manner fastened to the shovel or pan,as at 38. The open end or mouth of the bag or sack is fas tened to theworking end of the shovel or pan at points in advance of the heel 21thereof, and in the preferred embodiment of the means for attaching themouth of the bag to the pan I employ the plates 40, which are rigidlyfastened to the sides of the pan at points just in advance of the heelthereof, which plates are suitably engaged with the edges of thebag-mouth. The bag thus lies in rear of the pan or shovel, and its mouthis spread or held open by the plates. When the shovel is lowered to itsworking position and the pressure fluid flows from one or both of thepressure-pipes, the force of the fluid acting against the rock bottom infront of the shovel drives the heavy mineral particles into the pocketor depression of the shovel, and the particles which may pass beneaththe shovel are forced into the open mouth of the collecting bag or sack36, whereby a certain quantity of the metallic particles will be caughtand retained by the bag or sack. It is to be understood, however, that Ido not always employ this collecting bag or sack on the shovel, and itsspecial utility resides in its employment with the shovel when thedredge is used for excavating and collecting particles of metal adjacentto a rocky or hard resisting bottom.

My apparatus is especially designed for hydraulic mining in the beds ofrivers or streams, and it is designed to be carried by a dredgescow,float, or raft of any suitablecharacter. This support for the dredger isof course adapted to be advanced at suitable intervals and to carry withit the apparatus or dredger in the direction indicated by the arrow inFig. l of the drawings. WVhen the parts of the apparatus are in theworking position shown by Fig. 1, the current of fluid under pressurefrom the pipe 1 agitates or stirs the mud, sand, and gravel at thebottom or bed of a stream and the metallic particles are washed from therefuse across the inclined face of the shovel, so as to be collected in.the pocket 20 of the shovel or pan. When it is desired to elevate theshovel or pan with the pressure-pipe, the chain or cable 29 is raised tolift the pan to its horizontal position, and the reflector-pan 22 isthus brought to a position opposite to the main pressure'pip e 1; Thispan 22 deflects the course of the fluid under pressure from the pipe 1and causes it to clean out or keep open the cavity or excavation in thebed of the stream, and the agitated current of fluid mingled with thewater of the stream is deflected outwardly by the conical cup for thepurpose of washing or working the sides of the cavity, so as to keep thelatter open for the ingress therein of the shovel when it is againlowered to its working position. When the shovel is raised, the progressof the dredge is arrested and the auxiliary pipe may be turned so as tocause its mouth or nozzle 36 to face toward the shovel, whereby thecurrent from the pres: sure-pipe 25 may be directed in a backwarddirection, so as to wash out the cavity or ex-.

cavation and also assist in keeping the same open for the reception ofthe shovel or pan when it is again lowered. As the dredge or scoopadvances the auxiliary pressure-pipe is kept in a position where itsdeflected mouth is away from the shovel or pan for the purpose ofdirecting the current of working fluid against the mud, sand, or graveland open a path therein for the passage of the shovel and other parts ofthe dredger.

The means for attaching the re flector-pan to the shovel may be variedwithin wide limitsas, for example, a central part may be made as a partof the shovel and united to the apex of the conical reflecting-pan.

The end of the bag or sack near the pivotal connection of the shovel tothe frame may or may not be closed; but I prefer to'employ a ring whichis united to the bag to hold the same in a partly-open condition for theingress thereto of any light particles of metal which may be held insuspension in the agitated water, thus adapting the bag to collectmineralparticles at both ends.

In lieu of making the bail serve as the stop in the upward movement ofthe shovel a separate stop may be attached to the chain, cable, or otherconnection which lifts the shovel, said stop being attached to the chainat a point below the guide eye, so as to abut against the latter whenthe chain and shovel are drawn upward, thus using two spaced stops onthe chain or cable. The lower ends of the pressure-pipes may be givenany desired finish to make the structure present a more symmetricalappearance.

I am aware that changes in the form and proportion of parts and in thedetails of construction may be made by a skilled mechanic withoutdeparting from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of my invention,and I therefore reserve the right to make such modifications as clearlyfall within the scope of the invention.

I do not contemplate at all times the use of the bag or sack conjunctively with the shovelpan; but I may use the bag without the shoveland attach the bag to a frame. When the rock bottom is too uneven forproper workin g of the shovel or scoop and the latter would interferewith the entrance of the metal to the bag, I detach the shovel and usethe bag or sack alone.

The deflecting and collecting cup on the pressure-pipe above the outlet,at the lower end thereof, is a prime feature of my invention in that itdeflects the current outwardly, and it may contain mercury to amalgamatewith the gold collected therein.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is l 1. In a miningexcavator or digger, a fluidpressure pipe for conveying fluid underpressure to be forced into the earth,a frame fixed to said pipe, abovethe open delivery end thereof, a shovel hinged to said frame at a pointto one side of the pressure-pipe, and means for rais ing or lowering thehinged scoop, whereby the scoop may be raised to a horizontal positionor lowered to a vertical position at one side of the plane of thepressure-pipe, substantially as described.

2. In a mining excavator ordigger, the combination with a fluid pressurepipe and a hinged shovel or scoop, of a reflecting-pan adapted todeflect the current of pressure fluid from said pipe and protect thecontents of the shovel or scoop from the action of said pressure fluid,substantially as described.

3. In a mining excavator ordigger, the combination with a mainpressure-pipe, of a shovel or scoop supported by said main pressure-pipeand provided with an inclined face and a pocket or depression in rear ofsaid inclined face and adapted to retain minerals of greater specificgravity than the surrounding washings which are agitated by a current ofpressure fluid, and an auxiliary pipe arranged at one side of the mainpressure-pipe and provided with a deflected or inclined nozzle,substantially as described.

4. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a pressure-pipe,a hinged scoop, a reflecting-pan carried by the scoop and arranged to beraised thereby into vertical alinement with an outlet from thepressure-pipe,

and a reflecting-cup supported by said pressure-pipe above thedischarge-mouth thereof, said cup adapted to deflect the pressure fluidin an outward direction against the walls of the cavity or excavationmade by the action of the dredge and to collect particles of mineralwhich may gravitate into said cup, substantially as described.

5. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination with apressure-pipe, of a shovel hingedly connected to said pressure-pipe at apoint to one side of the vertical plane thereof and adapted to belowered to a vertical position, means for adjusting the shovel on itshinged connection with said pressure-pipe, and a stop to limit thedescent of the shovel when the latter is lowered to its verticalposition, for the purpose described, substantially as set forth.

6. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a pressure-pipe,acollecting-shovel carried thereby, and a collecting bag or sack attachedto said shovel and adapted to gather fine particles of mineral by itsflexible lower and thin front edge, substantially as described.

7. In a mining excavatoror dredge, the combination of a mainpressure-pipe, mineral-collecting devices carried thereby in a plane atone side of the iiuid-outletfrom said pipe, and an auxiliarypressure-pipe disconnected from the collecting devices and situated inadvance of the same, said auxiliary pressure-pipe be ing adjustableaxially and provided with an angular discl1arge-nozzle adapted to directa current of working fluid in advance of the collecting devices, andalso adapted to wash the opening or excavation, forthe purposedescribed, substantially as set forth.

8. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a mainpressure-pipe, a collectingshovel'carried thereby, an auxiliarypressurepipe, and a suspending-chain having a swiveled connection withsaid auxiliary pressurepipe to permit the latter to turn withouttwisting the suspen ding-chain, substantiallyas described.

9. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination with a mainpressure-pipe, of a frame connected therewith, a collector devicesupported by said frame, an auxiliary pressure-pipe parallel to the mainpressure-pipe, and a guide on said frame and fitted loosely to theauxiliary pressure-pipe, for the purpose described, substantially as setforth.

10. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a pressure-pipe,a shovel movably connected thereto, and a reflecting-pan carried by saidshovel, substantially as described.

11. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a pressure pipe,a hinged shovel connected thereto, a reflecting-pan carried by saidshovel to be presented thereby opposite to the discharge-mouth of saidpipe, and a reflector-cup supported on the pressure-pipe above its opendischarge-mouth, substantially as described.

12. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination with apressure-pipe, of a hinged shovel having a collecting-pocket, a bag orsack attached to said shovel, and devices for spreading the mouth of thebag and keeping the same in an open position at the working end of theshovel, substantially as described.

13. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination with apressure-pipe, of a carrying-frame attached thereto and having an armwhich depends below the open mouth of said pressure-pipe, a shovelhinged to said depending arm of the frame and arranged to be lowered toa vertical position at one side of the vertical plane of thepressure-pipe, and means for swinging the shovel in a vertical plane onits hinged connection with said frame, substantially as described.

14. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a pressure-pipe,a carryingframe attached thereto,ashovel hingedly connected to the frameand arranged to assume a vertical position at one side of the verticalplane of the pressure-pipe, a bail attached to the shovel and arrangedto abut against the frame for limiting the upward movement of saidshovel, and a chain connected to the bail, substantially as described.

15. In amining excavator or digger, the

sition when the dredge is advanced, snbstan- I tially as described.

16. In a mining excavator and digger, the combination of a mainpressure-pipe, a collecting-shovel carried thereby, means for adjustingsaid shovel, an auxiliary pressure-pipe independent of the mainpressure-pipe and having an inclined discharge-mouth arranged at oneside of the collecting-shovel, said auxiliary pressure-pipe beingadjustable axially to vary the angle of presentation of its deflecteddischargemouth, and means for suspending said auxiliary pressure-pipe,substantially as described.

17. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a mainpressure-pipe, a frame supported by said pipe and having at its free enda guide-sleeve, a shovel attached to said frame, an auxiliary pressnrepipe fitted loosely in said guide sleeve for axial adjustment freelytherein, and provided below said sleeve with an inclineddischarge-month, a suspen sion-chain, and swivel connections betweensaid chain and the auxiliary pressure-pipe, substantially as described.

18. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination of a mainpressure-pipe, a frame having a guide-sleeve, a shovel attached to saidguide, an auxiliary pressure-pipe fitted loosely in said sleeve, a fastcollar on the auxiliary pressure-pipe, a loose collar also fitted to thepressure-pipe and impinging against the fast collar, and asuspension-chain connected to the loose collar, substantially asdescribed.

19. Inaminingexcavatorordigger,a shovel provided at one end with aninclined face having a sharpened cutting edge or lip, and an abruptledge or shoulder at the rear terminal of the inclined face and formingbetween the latter and the heel of the pan a pocket or depression,combined with a frame to which the heel of the scoop is hinged, andmeans for raising or lowering the shovel on its hinged connection withthe frame, substantially as described.

20. In a mining excavator or digger, the

of the vertical plane of the pressure-pipe, substantially as described.

21. In a mining excavator or digger, the combination with apressure-pipe, of an amalgam cup or pan connected with the pressurepipeabove its outlet end, for the purpose of collecting particles ofminerals forced upward by fluid from the pressure-pipe, collectingdevices supported by the pressure-pipe on a :0 horizontal plane belowthe amalgam cup or pan, and a reflecting device mounted on thecollecting device, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

LORENZO D. SIBLEY.

Witnesses:

S. F. HURD, JOHN P. ASHWORTH.

